Method and means for carbonating liquids in situ

Abstract

This invention provides a novel method and means for carbonating liquids in the container from which the liquids are served to the consumer with a minimum of carbonating gas and for maintaining and enhancing carbonation of the remaining liquid without expensive regulatory apparatus after withdrawal of a portion of the carbonated liquid. Inherent in the means and method to induce and regulate carbonation, the invention provides both means and method for regulating or substantially limiting the maximum volume of liquid introduced into the carbonation chamber as well as a means and method to purge air from the carbonation chamber. According to the invention, a fixed volume vessel and a dynamic capacity carbonating chamber, a pump and relief valves enable consistent carbonation and regulation of the carbonating pressure prior to and following dispensing of carbonated liquids while utilizing a finite, minimum quantity of carbonating gas. The dynamic capacity carbonating chamber is defined within a fixed volume vessel by a resilient, flexible relatively non-permeable air bag separating a liquid CO 2 gas phase from pressurized air. A manually operated pump and preset relief valves enable the maintenance of predetermined fixed pressures within the air chamber and carbonating chamber of the vessel without introducing atmospheric air into the carbonating chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-contained and portable carbonating apparatus comprising a fixed volume rigid container, a resilient bag within the container defining a variable volume carbonating chamber between the resilient bag and the rigid container, a pump communicating with the resilient bag, a relief valve establishing selective communication between the carbonating chamber and the atmosphere, whereby air may be purged from the variable volume carbonating chamber by pumping air into the resilient bag and activating the relief valve. 
     
     
       2. A self-contained and portable apparatus for carbonating liquids comprising a container, a carbonating chamber within the container, air actuated means within the carbonating chamber for selectively varying the volume of the carbonating chamber to effect a uniform carbonating pressure in the carbonating chamber and to admit and discharge liquid from the carbonating chamber, means for introducing carbon dioxide into the carbonating chamber, means for venting carbon dioxide from the carbonating chamber to the atmosphere, means for introducing liquid into the carbonating chamber, and means for withdrawing carbonated liquid from the carbonating chamber. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said air actuated means is an air bag and wherein a pump means selectively introduces atmospheric air into the air bag. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pump is mounted in one wall of the container and is connected to an open end of the air bag and wherein said pump is manually operable. 
     
     
       5. A structure according to claim 3 wherein a check valve is positioned in one wall of the container to prevent flow of air from the air bag into the pump. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for introducing carbon dioxide into the carbonating chamber comprises a carbon dioxide cartridge and means on one wall of the container for supporting said cartridge while its contents are discharged into the carbonating chamber. 
     
     
       7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein a check valve is incorporated in one wall of the container to prevent passage of carbon dioxide from the carbonating chamber into the carbon dioxide cartridge. 
     
     
       8. A structure according to claim 2 wherein said means for venting carbon dioxide from the carbonating chamber comprises a pressure relief valve communicating with the carbonating chamber and with the atmosphere. 
     
     
       9. A structure according to claim 8 wherein said pressure relief valve is adjustable to vent carbon dioxide at different amounts of pressure. 
     
     
       10. A structure according to claim 3 wherein means are provided for venting air from the air bag, said means comprising a pressure relief valve communicating with the air bag and with the atmosphere. 
     
     
       11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein said pressure relief valve is adjustable to vent air at different pressures. 
     
     
       12. A structure according to claim 11 wherein said means for venting carbon dioxide from the carbonating chamber to the atmosphere comprises a pressure relief valve communicating with the carbonating chamber and the atmosphere, the pressure relief valve for the carbonating chamber and the pressure relief valve for the air bag being adjustable to vent at different pressures, and the pressure relief valve for the carbonating chamber adjusted to vent at a higher pressure than the pressure relief valve for the air bag. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for withdrawing carbonated liquid from the carbonating chamber comprises a spout on the container and valve means selectively establishing communication between the carbonating chamber and the atmosphere through said spout. 
     
     
       14. Carbonating apparatus including means to regulate the quantity of liquid to be carbonated, said means comprising a rigid container, a resilient, flexible, impervious bag within the container, means to vent air to the atmosphere from the container exteriorly of the bag, means to pump air to expand the bag to the limits of the container walls, a supply of liquid outside the carbonating apparatus, a tube submerged in said liquid supply and communicating with the container exteriorly of the bag, and means to vent air within the bag to the atmosphere allowing contraction of the bag to draw liquid from said supply through the tube and into the container exteriorly of the bag.